Key Events

That's it for today

I haven’t been able to get through them all, but this will become a weekly feature and they will get answered next week, or after the Everton game.

You can read a full recap below.

14:40

Do you think it's right that Watford keep changing their manager?

The final question is from Matt, who asks about Watford and their head coaches.

Was it right to sack Marco Silva? Yes. Should Walter Mazzarri have been given another season? No. Was Quique Sanchez Flores a little unlucky? Perhaps.

It might not be popular but, on the whole, Watford’s decisions to get rid of their head coaches have been correct. It’s not ideal and it’s not popular amongst many in the mainstream media or opposition fans, yet it’s understandable. Change has been needed each and every time.

In an ideal world, Watford would appoint someone who can operate in their model, successfully, for more than a season.

As of yet, they have not found that man and that’s why the question should be: does their recruitment process for a new head coach needed looking at? Rather than should they continue to sack their managers.

14:34

When could Ryan Cassidy get into the first team?

Ian asks about the teenager and when he might get into the first team

Hold your horses! Let’s not put a silly amount of pressure on a 16-year-old. Yes, he’s impressed and is clearly a massive talent, but he’s 16 and nine days ago had only played U18 football at Watford.

It’d be unfair to say ‘he’ll be in the first team by 2020’ or ‘he should be given a chance sooner rather than later’. All you can say is that Watford need to manage him properly, let him develop and, who knows, he may break into the side in a couple of years’ time.

But there is a massive gap between U23s football and the first team and the chances are he’ll head out on loan first to see how he copes at senior level - and even that could be a year or two away.

14:28

Why did Watford make so few signings and did not address the defensive situation in January?

Phil asks why the lack of signings, especially in defence?

From what I understand, there was never a real desire to sign defensive players in the January transfer window. With a number of centre-backs coming back from injury, the feeling was that there was plenty of cover in that are. Clearly Christian Kabasele and Molla Wague’s hamstring problems have not helped. And the centre of defence is an area that has not been invested in in the same way as the centre of midfield or up front - you only have to look at transfer fees to see that.

As for other positions, a striker was the other area many felt Watford needed more bodies. I think it was simply a case of there not being a deal out there that suited Watford. Prices are inflated, striker is the hardest position to buy for and the Hornets felt Andre Gray and Troy Deeney could provide the firepower, as well as Richarlison if needed.

14:22

A question on loan players and work permits

Ben asks when players out on loan like Peñaranda get the work permit and play for us soon (like next season)?

There had been talk that Peñaranda may get a work permit in January, although that didn’t happen, and I’ll admit, I’m unsure what the latest is.

What I do know, however, is that he is not developing as many would have hoped at Malaga, with a Spanish newspaper article yesterday reporting missed training, a bad attitude and issues with his weight. Something the Malaga boss is not happy with. So it remains to be seen whether he’d be ready for Watford next season, which looks a little unlikely.

For someone like Cucho, the Colombian striker ripping up Segunda Liga, it could be argued that he is an exceptional talent, as Richarlison was, and, if Watford wanted, that could happen this summer. That’s even more likely if he gets a surprise World Cup call up, although a recent injury may have harmed the chances of that happening.

14:12

How many more wins can Watford realistically get now from the remaining fixtures?

Samuel asks how many games the Hornets could win between now and the end of the season.

I actually think the ceiling is pretty high for this.

Yes, Watford have been poor at home this season and no match is an ‘easy game’, but the teams left to travel to Vicarage Road are outside the top six.

Watford should go into the games with Everton, West Brom, Bournemouth, Burnley, Newcastle and Crystal Palace thinking they can pick up three points. In fact, fans will be expecting three points from nearly all of their games.

The trips to Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs and United are a little tougher, and Huddersfield won’t be easy, but there is no reason Watford can’t pick up five more wins from the final 11 games.

Obviously that will require them to play better than they have been and more consistently, which isn’t out of the question.

14:07

A question on Andre Gray

David asks why Andre gray has no confidence in front of goal and whether he still has to justify his price tag?

I’ll start with the second one. Justifying a price tag is an odd concept, to me, because it’s not his decision what he’s brought for. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Nathaniel Chalobah cost substantially less and it’s just a figure. It shouldn’t mean too much or put more pressure on him.

It is clear that he has failed to live up to expectations though, or done what Watford would have wanted. He definitely has a point to prove at Vicarage Road.

Why the lack of confidence? I think he is feeling the pressure from the crowd slightly and will know he has to do better, which will weigh heavy on his shoulders.

Gray has often been dropped after scoring, which is enough to knock anyone off their stride - that won’t help.

Also, he’s only started four of the last 13 Premier League games and for an instinctive player like Gray, he needs to be playing regularly and feel the rhythm of the side.

His lack of goals was a worry in the first part of the season, but it’s been down to a lack of gametime in the past month.

13:59

Does Deulofeu still have it in him to live up to the potential he had at Barcelona?

Ryan asks a question about the Watford loanee.

I’m not sure he does. That’s only because he was so highly-regarded and many expected him to have a long-term impact on Barcelona’s first-team. The expectation in Spain is that he’ll be sold by the Catalan club in the summer; where to and for how much depends on his performances at Watford. He is immensely talented and can still play for one of the big European clubs, but a career at Barcelona is out of his reach.

13:55

Have there been any noticeable improvements to the medical department?

An unnamed Hornet asks about the medical department, its failings and if it’s improved

It’s clear there were failings in this area. Scott Duxbury spoke about ‘getting back to where we should in terms of player treatment and care’ when Dr Emilio Lopez-Vidriero was appointed in January, which speaks volumes for it. I’m no medical expert, so commenting on what went wrong or how it should have different is not easy.

Have there been improvements? On the surface, no. Hamstring injuries are still occurring with alarming regularity and there has been very little information relayed about the injured players and return dates. But that stems from the structure before Lopez-Vidriero was appointed and any changes he makes will start to have an impact in the coming weeks and months. Assuming he sticks around longer than his predecessors, it’s unfair to judge him until the end of this season and the start of the next one.

It can’t get any worse though.

13:49

Does Roberto Pereyra deserve a chance?

Ronny and Ramage podcast are back again, this time with a question on Roberto Pereyra.

I said after the West Ham game that Pereyra’s substitute appearance was one of two positives, alongside Karnezis’ display.

He didn’t pull up any trees but he got on the ball, looked confident and got some crosses into the box regularly.

Most importantly, though, Pereyra looks fit. He is moving about the pitch better than he as at any point since he got stretchered off at Man City in December 2016 and I have a feeling he’s about to have a big impact on Watford’s season.

I’d be doing all I could to get him into the starting lineup for Everton, because a Sam Allardyce team will sit back and he could be key in unlocking their defence.

13:45

Does Richarlison need a rest?

Ronny and Ramage have asked plenty of questions on Twitter

This break between games should be the rest Richarlison needs, with just four games between now and the next two-week gap. Whilst fatigue is an issue for the Brazilian - more so than anyone else due to his ludicrously busy 2017 - it strikes me that his lack of confidence is at fault just as much.

The departure of Marco Silva clearly knocked him and you have to remember he’s young and surpassed all expectations at the start of the season.

He is desperate to contribute to a victory and get a goal, which could see him hit a purple patch. It’s not a lack of effort, but he needs something to get him going again.

13:41

Are we worrying about relegation too much?

George points to the fact that everyone below Everton is classed as in a relagation battle and that Watford are by no means the worst in that group.

I think the fear of relegation has certainly calmed with the Chelsea result, before that I think the worrying was justified. If you go back to the Manchester United defeat - the start of the torrid run of form - and look at the form table since then, Watford’s record is the worst in the league. They are below West Brom on goal difference with just nine points. They were in freefall and there seemed to be no way of stopping it. Gracia’s introduction has improved the mood and the form, on top of that the Hornets’ fixture list is really quite kind for the rest of the season, but the fear was not over the top. I don’t think Watford are one of the worst teams in the league and do not think they’ll go down. But momentum is a funny thing and after the Leicester defeat, relegation looked a real possibility.

13:34

Is Deeney's form down to the outfield players not creating opportunities or a lack of movement from Deeney?

Jez asks about Troy Deeney and his form

Both of those are true, to a certain extent. Deeney looked off the pace for much of the first half of the season and his movement simply was not there. He would have had more chances if he’d been sharp, because Andre Gray often found himself in good positions when he played, he just failed to finish them off. But Watford have stopped creating as many chances recently and the service has got worse. If his main job is trying to hold the ball up and win headers against giant centre-backs, he’s never going to get as many opportunities in front of goal. Personally, I think more of the fault lies with Deeney, but he can have some gripes with the service too.

13:29

Who would be replaced in the first team when the injured players return?

Samuel asks who may be dropped when the injured players return?

The most obvious change is Kiko Femenia coming back in for Daryl Janmaat. The Dutchman’s limits have been clear in the past two months and Watford have missed Kiko dearly.

Will Hughes wouldn’t necessarily come straight back into the side, and neither would the centre-backs who have been out for a long time - Younes Kaboul, Miguel Britos and Craig Cathcart. It seems likely that Adrian Mariappa would drop out, that has often been the case before, but Prodl’s disappointing season could also see him lose his place. Christian Kabasele would certainly be worthy of an immediate return.

When Nathaniel Chalobah or Tom Cleverley return, Etienne Capoue’s game-time is likely to decrease and we’ve already discussed the goalkeepers and that is a tough decision.

13:24

When may Nathaniel Chalobah return?

Mark asks about Nathaniel Chalobah and when he might return to full training

I don’t think Nathaniel Chalobah’s return is imminent. The suggestion from Silva in his last press conference was that Chalobah could return to training in late February and that still appears the earliest date. Whilst a number of the injured players have been photographed out on the grass or mentioned by Javi, Chalobah has not and that speaks volumes. Even when he does return, it’ll take some time for the midfielder to get back to match fitness and be confident going into challenges and playing in games. If he does return in late February/early March, the Arsenal and Liverpool games on March 11 and March 17 could still be too soon.

13:18

Why are Watford so inconsistent?

Holly asks why the Hornets are such an inconsistent side?

The million dollar question! I actually think Watford have been fairly consistent for much of the season. Good for much of the first three months and very poor ever since. Why can’t these players produce those good levels regularly? I think there are a number of factors, but two important ones are. 1) Constant changes. Saturday was only the second times this season that Watford were unchanged. The best sides change personnel a lot less and formations too. 2) It’s their level. If the players could produce the goods every week, they’d be at one of the top six clubs. Hopefully Javi Gracia has identified more reasons and is working to fix them as we speak.

13:13

Were Watford too cocky against West Ham?

Gladys asks if Watford should have set up as they did at Stoke when they visited West Ham

No. The team selection and style wasn’t the issue for me, and I don’t think anyone questioned it before kick-off either. The West Ham result was down to the application of the side and their attitude on the day. It wasn’t good enough and they were never up for the fight. Watford should have been bursting with confidence for the game, instead they looked arrogant and like they expected a result. If they had applied the same levels of effort and concentration in east London as they had five days previously, it would have been a different story.

13:08

Would Heurelho Gomes get back into the side?

This has been asked by the Ronny and Ramage podcast on Twitter and by Kevin

This is a really difficult one, because Orestis Karnezis has not done a lot wrong since coming into the side. Could he have done better for West Ham’s second on Saturday? Yes, but he also kept Watford in the game. My feeling is that Gomes deserves to return to the side. He didn’t do much wrong either prior to injuring his back and Watford do miss his organisation and vocal presence behind the back four. On top of that, Karnezis is only here on loan, so there is not too much value in keeping him in the side, given there is little to separate the duo. I must say that another strong performance by Karnezis against Everton, if he plays, could change my mind. It’s that difficult.

13:05

What should the priority be before the game with Everton?

Tom asks what the priority should be for Javi Gracia during the break?

I still think it is a case of the players getting to know Gracia and the style of football he wants to play. It’s tough to say that he should focus on the defence over the attack or vice-versa, because, to be honest, they both need working on. It’s one clean sheet in the league since late November, but they’ve failed to score in four of their last five games. If that run continues, Watford aren’t going to win football games and they are going to be dragged into real trouble. Outside of Gracia’s remit, injuries have to be the main priority. He specifically mentioned Kiko, Britos, Hughes and Gomes as returning to training in this break, so getting them fit and up to speed is vital.

13:00

Do Watford need six points from the next two games?

The first question comes in from Scott and asks if Watford need six points from their games with Everton and West Brom?

Six points would be nice and certainly go a long way to ensuring it’s Premier League football at Vicarage Road next season, but I think a haul of four or six points would be OK. Everton’s away from has been dreadful and it’s a game Watford should be looking to win, whilst the Baggies looked doomed at the bottom of the table. Failing to win either game would be a disaster. But a win and draw would put the Hornets on 34 points with 27 still to play for and their home fixtures are all winnable - even if they’ve struggled at The Vic this season.

Matt Storey

Ten minutes to go

Plenty of interesting questions coming, we’ll begin answering them in ten minutes. Still time for more, though.

12:34

Whilst you're waiting

Have a read of our fan blogger’s latest piece.

Matt StoreyKEY EVENT

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